According to John Maxwell – everything rises and falls on leadership. Leadership consists of making decisions. Decisions are the genesis of progress and forward movement. When you fail to make a decision, you’re actually making a decision so pray and ask God for wisdom. Many people, unfortunately, make poor decisions that take their Ministries drastically off course. Let’s start 2020 off right!
Making Wise Decisions 101
Making smart decisions is important, but how should you make decisions? Most people are lured away from wiser decisions by options that feel good in the short-term. Easy doesn’t mean best and quickly doesn’t always equate to best practice.
Keep these ideas in mind when making decisions:
1. Know your values.
Know what is important to you, and you’ll make fewer poor decisions. Most people can’t list their values because they’ve never considered them. Filter your decision making through your core values. This alone will keep you focused and on track.
2. Know your objectives.
What are you trying to accomplish? Which option available to you brings you closer to achieving your objectives? The opposite should also be considered. Which option takes you further from accomplishing your goals?
3. Rely on your experience.
You’ve experienced a lot in your life and hopefully learn a lot in the process. Use that knowledge and experience to make more effective decisions. Over time, everyone should be making better decisions based on their life experience.
4. Gather more information if necessary.
You don’t know everything, so there are times when you’ll need to seek out additional information. The more you know, the better your decision can be. Seek out wise counsel. Read books, blogs and articles that deal with your context. If you can find someone that is further along than you, they may be your best resource.
5. Pull the trigger.
However, there comes a time when you need to stop researching and start doing something. Many leaders get into a habit of making plans and decisions but never act on those plans or decisions. They constantly stay in the ready aim ready… aim, ready… aim mode. I would rather see somebody pull the trigger faster than have someone not act on a decision.
- Once you’ve made a decision, immediately take action, even if it’s something small.
Decisions have the ability to completely change the direction of your church or ministry. Give each decision you make the respect it deserves, and as the leader, accept the responsibility of making the necessary decisions.
If you know your values and goals, most decisions are quite easy to make. Remind yourself of the consequences of failing to make a decision, and you’ll be more motivated to decide and move forward.
